Ezekiel 31:9

9 As for its beauty—I made it so, with its abundant foliage. All the trees of Eden envied it, all that were in God's garden.

Ezekiel 31:9 Meaning and Commentary

Ezekiel 31:9

I have made him fair by the multitude of his branches
Or provinces, the extensiveness of his dominions: all his power and strength, riches and wealth, grandeur and glory, and the vast dominions he was possessed of, were all from the Lord; as whatever kings have are, though they are too apt to ascribe it to themselves; but all are from him, by whom kings reign: so that all the trees of Eden, that were in the garden of God, envied
him;
all the kings of the earth, though they dared not openly speak against him, or oppose him; yet they inwardly grieved at and secretly grudged his grandeur and majesty, superior to theirs, and wished themselves in his stead; and could gladly have done anything, were it in their power, to eclipse his glory, and bring him lower. This is the case of all that are in any eminence, or are conspicuous to others, or in any exalted station above others, be it what it will; whether they have superior gifts and endowments of mind; or greater riches, and larger possessions; or are in high places of honour, trust, and profit. The Targum is,

``I have made him beautiful by the multitude of his mighty ones; and all the kings of the east trembled before him, because of the strength of his power, which he had from the Lord.''

Ezekiel 31:9 In-Context

7 It became beautiful in its greatness and in its lush foliage, because it took root in plentiful water.

8 No cedar was its equal in God's garden. The fir trees didn't have anything like its branches, and the plane trees had nothing like its boughs. None of the trees in God's garden could compare to it in its beauty.

9 As for its beauty—I made it so, with its abundant foliage. All the trees of Eden envied it, all that were in God's garden.

10 So now the LORD God proclaims: Consider the fate of those who tower high! When it allowed its branches to reach up among the clouds, it became arrogant.

11 So I handed it over to the most powerful nation, who continually acted treacherously against it. I banished it!